After 35 Years, Southington Officer Steps Down

SOUTHINGTON — By 2 p.m. Monday, the only personal items left on his desk were two badges and a pager that had linked police Capt. James Porter with the department where he worked for 35 years.

While the material reminders were sparse, the retiring Porter has plenty of memories.

``I made the decision five years ago to retire when I was 58,'' said Porter, who started as a street officer in 1960 when he left Pratt & Whitney to take the more secure police job.

``The one thing I wanted to do is make sure I retired while I still had control of the job, not when it got control of me.''

Known for his quick wit and personable style, Porter, whose father was a local supernumerary, rose through the ranks, with responsibilities that ranged from conducting the town's first drug education program to overseeing the patrol division.

``When I started here, we had just three men on the night shift. Now we have seven and our hands are still full,'' said Porter.

``I think I was able to be a more effective officer because of my roots in town, too,'' Porter said. Knowing families sometimes gave him an edge.

He recalled when a man barricaded himself inside a house and was threatening people with a shotgun.

``I knew him, knew he wasn't a killer and that there were other problems,'' Porter said. ``I went in and we talked while he held the gun to my head, but eventually he gave me the weapon.''

Considered fair but stern when necessary, Porter had no problem recalling his worst experiences as a police officer.

``The one thing I could never get over was the death of a child, either through an accident or whatever,'' said Porter, who has four children.